A special gift: Bilocation

Bilocation means being physically present in two places at the same time. The Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is one form of this, although we do not see Him as He is in Heaven in the Host, yet we know that He is truly there, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

When we speak of the phenomenon of bilocation, we generally mean that which happened with some Saints:

"Instances of bilocation have been so well-documented, witnessed and investigated that they are accepted facts in the history of the Church and in hagiography.  It is understood that the mystical gift is not given for the convenience of the recipient, but to aid him in helping his fellow man or in performing a function some distance away that had been forgotten.  Often the recipient of this gift employs it to attend the dying, to comfort, to instruct and for many other reasons which we will now explore." [Mysteries, Marvels, Miracles, p. 1.]

Among the Saints who experienced this special gift are:

Saint Alphonsus Liguori, who was often seen at the same in the pulpit preaching a sermon and in the confessional.  Once, he was in Naples preaching to university students when a poor woman called at Pagani to receive the alms usually given to her by the Saint.  A lay brother, on answering the door, told her of the Saint's presence in another city and sent the poor woman away.  Suddenly St. Alphonsus appeared and gave her the usual amount of money.

Another Saint who could bilocate is Saint Gerard Majella, a Redemptorist, like St. Alphonsus, the founder of that order (and my patron saint).   This is an account of a couple of instances of his ability that was used in his canonization process:

"One day when he had received no answer from Muro (his hometown) about a pressing affair, he said to his companion, 'I must go there.'  The next day he was seen at Muro while, on the other hand, his companions declared that he had not left the monastery.   Another time, Fr. Margotta revealed to Dr. Santorelli that St. Gerard, although in his room, had nevertheless spent the night in ecstasy before the Most Blessed Sacrament in the choir of the Franciscans.  The Rev. Nicholo Fiore of Teora, impressed by the Saint's reputation, spoke to Dr. Santorelli about his desire to meet him.  Dr. Santorelli replied that he would arrange a meeting.  A few days later the Rev. Nicholo arrived at the monastery to conduct business and informed Dr. Santorelli that an introduction was unnecessary since Gerard had visited with him at his home some days earlier.  Dr. Santorelli, who knew that the Saint had not left the monastery, took the Rev. Nicholo to a place where Gerard and the community had gathered and asked the Rev. Nicholo to identify him. Rev. Nicholo pointed him out without hesitation."

Some of the other Saints who have known to have bilocated are St. Paul of the Cross, St. Joseph of Cupertino, Saint Lydwina [Lydwine], Saint Martin de Porres, and Saint Catherine dei Ricci.  Saint Pio of Pietrelcina can be added to the list, as well.

If only my faith and trust in Jesus Christ were as strong as it was in these saints!  I could have spent the time with my family that I missed out on because of my work schedules for the 25 years I worked “on the road” for U-Haul!